A longtime advocate of Coupeville schools is retiring.

Don Sherman, who has been a member of the Coupeville School Board for 12 years, announced his resignation during a public meeting last week. His last day is March 31.

Sherman said he was confident with the current school district leadership and the composition of the current board to retire from his position.

“I need to clear some time up,” Sherman said before a recent Coupeville School Board meeting.

He has been serving on the school board for 12 years when he was appointed to the seat that opened up after the board member districts were re-adjusted.

Sherman currently serves as the board member for District One, which encompasses the north part of the district, the western part of Coupeville down to Keystone Harbor with Engle Road being the dividing line.

The Coupeville School District is divided into three district positions and two “at-large” positions.

A candidate has to reside within the boundaries in order to apply for the vacancy.

The school board will appoint Sherman’s replacement and that candidate will run for election in November to fill the remainder of the term, which ends in 2015.